The sound of horns and car engines echoed through the streets. People talked and walked along the roadside.
A normal man wearing a black suit walked slowly, his head lowered.
"My name is Aris Virelios. I'm a small employee in an ordinary company. I'm 27 years old, single, working hard to earn money… and hopefully get a girlfriend someday," Aris said to himself as he walked.
He glanced at his watch and began walking faster.
"Nothing is ever going to get better in my life. I think I'm going to die single," he muttered while looking at a boy and a girl laughing together inside a café.
Looking ahead, Aris suddenly noticed a small, cute girl standing in the middle of an empty road, holding a ball.
"Kids these days… they don't even know where to play. Their lives are so peaceful. They don't have to worry about anything," Aris said softly.
Then he heard a loud engine roaring.
From the right side, a truck came speeding toward them.
"Get out of the way! The brakes have failed!" the driver screamed through the window.
Aris's eyes widened in shock. His bag slipped from his hand.
"I have to save her," he thought as he ran toward the girl.
"Hey! Move!" he shouted, pushing her away.
The next moment, the truck slammed into Aris, throwing him hard against the roadside pole. Blood flowed from his head as his body hit the ground, his consciousness fading.
"What just happened…? Is this how I'm going to die?" he thought while staring at the people surrounding him.
"They're all looking at me… but I'm just a loser who never went on a date or fulfilled his dreams," he thought as his eyes slowly closed.
The sounds of the world began to crack and fade.
Everything went silent.
Suddenly, a beautiful woman appeared before him, wearing a revealing yet divine dress.
"Wake up, boy," she said, looking down at him as she stepped closer.
Aris opened his eyes and sat up in shock.
"Where am I? Didn't I just die after getting hit by a truck?" he asked, looking around before turning to her.
She smiled softly and knelt in front of him.
"You did. But you've been given a chance to change your life," she said, her voice gentle and whisper-like.
"A chance?" Aris asked, confused.
She leaned closer.
"I am Seraphina, the Goddess of Life. I have come to give you a new life—by reincarnating you into another world where you can fulfill all your wishes," she said.
Aris blinked. "Reincarnation? You mean… I don't have to work a job or live alone anymore?"
Seraphina nodded, her gaze steady.
"Of course. I will give you power. With it, you can rule that world if you wish," she whispered near his ear.
Aris gave her a deadpan look. "Power? This sounds like some fantasy anime."
She smiled brightly. "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll love it."
She wrapped an arm around his neck and gently pressed her lips to his.
The kiss was brief but overwhelming, filled with warmth and an unfamiliar energy. Before Aris could react—
His eyes snapped open.
He was lying inside a dark cave.
"Where am I again?" he muttered.
He touched his lips, noticing a faint mark and lingering warmth.
"That wasn't a dream… was it?"
Standing up, he walked toward a small pond of water and froze.
"What the hell…? Why do I look like a teenager? And why is my hair so long?"
He looked down.
"…Why am I not wearing anything? Where's my suit?"
He quickly looked around to make sure no one was nearby.
"This place looks like something out of a horror movie. I hope there's no dragon," he said nervously.
Suddenly, he tripped.
"Ouch… what was that?"
He saw a crystal glowing with seven rainbow colors.
"Is this a ball?" he asked, touching it.
The crystal dissolved into his body.
"W-Where did it go?" he said desperately, checking himself.
A loud roar echoed throughout the cave, sending chills through his spine.
"What was that? A lion… or a dragon?"
After hesitating, he stood up and wiped the dust off his body.
"Should I check?" he muttered.
As he focused forward, his vision suddenly expanded.
"Whoa… what's happening? I can see the entire cave!"
He could see every tunnel without moving.
Then his vision stopped.
A beautiful elf woman sat on the ground, her long blonde hair shining softly.
"She's beautiful," Aris muttered, his cheeks heating up.
Nearby stood a massive wolf-like beast with a crystal horn on its forehead.
"That thing is going to eat her!"
He immediately ran.
After crossing several tunnels, he appeared behind the beast.
"Hey! You can't kill her!" Aris shouted confidently.
The elf looked at him with hope in her eyes.
"Please… save me."
Then she noticed his condition and quickly looked away, blushing.
"Why aren't you wearing clothes?"
Aris smiled awkwardly. "Sorry… I was just born. Didn't have time to choose any."
The beast roared and charged at him.
Aris raised his hand.
"Stop."
Blue flames burst around his body, freezing the beast in place.
The elf stared in shock.
"What just happened?"
She touched the frozen creature, and it turned into ash.
Aris collapsed to the ground. "Did it… stop?"
He looked at the flames around him and panicked.
"I'm burning! I'm on fire!"
"You're not burning," the elf said calmly.
Aris paused. "Oh… you're right. I don't feel anything."
She examined him carefully.
"Hey—don't stare. I'm not wearing clothes," Aris protested.
She crossed her arms.
"Are you a summoner or a high-rank warrior?"
"What do you mean?" Aris asked.
She sighed. "You really don't know?"
"I was sent here by a beautiful woman about ten minutes ago," he replied.
"Can you stop releasing your mana?" she asked.
"How?" Aris asked.
"Calm down, kid."
He closed his eyes. The blue flames slowly vanished.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Aris Virelios. And yours?"
"My name is Elara. I'm an elf from the southern forest near the capital. After a battle, I ran and ended up here."
"So… do you know how to leave this place?" Aris asked.
She looked around. "This cave has too many tunnels. It won't be easy."
Aris walked to the wall and punched it.
The cave shook violently.
"Hey! You can't—"
The wall shattered, revealing the forest outside.
"See? We're out," Aris said casually.
Elara swallowed hard.
"You're a monster in physical strength."
Aris smiled. "I don't really understand myself yet."
She pointed ahead. "Come on. I know a place where we can find you clothes."
"Wait for me!" Aris said, running after her.